AS I SEE IT 2/1

AS I SEE ITBob MageePro Wrestling: Between the Sheets PWBTS.comI know it’s still winter, but it’s worth thinking about spring. No, not just for Wrestlemania, plus the Wrestlemania weekend events as well as the competing Dragon Gate USA and Ring of Honor shows (and after this past weekend, competing is the operative word).

Late April brings CHIKARA Pro’s annual King of Trios tournament…for three days at the ECW Arena

Billed as “the biggest pro-wrestling tournament in the world”, 48 wrestlers/16 trios from around the globe are coming together for King of Trios 2009 from April 23-25.

All 16 trios will be in matches the first night of the tournament, which is Friday, April 23. The surviving eight teams advance into Night 2, Saturday, April 24,and the 4 remaining teams will face off until just one remains on Sunday afternoon, April 25. As the participants are confirmed for the tournament, you’ll see them listed on this very page. There will also be non-tournament matches featuring wrestlers eliminated from King of Trios on April 24/April 25..

Directions from I-95 north (New York/New England/Central New Jersey)– Take 95 South to Exit 19 (Front Street exit)– Make left at light (Front Street)– Go to next light (Oregon Avenue) make right– Go under 95 underpass and make first left (Swanson Street)– Follow Swanson St. 3 blocks to Ritner St.– Make left at Ritner &the ECW Arenais on the corner

Directions from I-95 south (Delaware/Maryland)– Take I-95 North to Exit 20 (Washington Avenue)– Make right at light (Columbus Boulevard) (Staples is on the right side)– Stay on Columbus to fourthh light which is Snyder Avenue and make right (Bank of America is on corner)– Go to second stop sign (Swanson Street) and make left (Boston Market on corner)– Take Swanson Street south 3 blocks to Ritner Street-the ECW Arenais on the corner of Ritner and Swanson

Directions via I-76 east (Schuykill Expressway)– Take last exit (before Walt Whitman Bridge) exit to Packer Avenue– At light make left (Holiday Inn across the street)– Take Packer Avenue to end and at light (Front Street) make left– Go to second light (Oregon Avenue) and make right– Go under I-95 underpass and make first left (Swanson Street)– Follow Swanson Street 3 blocks to Ritner Street– Make left at Ritner Street– The ECW Arena is on the corner

Transportation:

For those staying at hotels in the Philadelphia area, you can call any one of the companies on this link to get a lift to the ECW Arena. Remember, the Arena is at the corner of Swanson and Ritner in South Philadelphia. For the purposes of some cab drivers who may not be familiar with the corner (see map below), you may wish to tell them to look for the Forman Mills store (a block from the ECW Arena), painted yellow on the outside.

For those choosing public transportation, Philadelphia’s SEPTA has bus and subway service that will take you to the ECW Arena. Anyone staying in center city Philadelphia, or points north, can get to the Arena using the Broad Street Subway (exit at Snyder Avenue Station). You will need to come to street level, buy a transfer, and take the 79 bus eastbound towards Front Street. From there, take a RIGHT, just past the I-95 viaduct; and walk down to Swanson Street. Take a LEFT and walk two blocks, as seen on this link (Adobe Acrobat required).

You can also take the Broad Street Subway to the Oregon Avenue stop. You will need to come to street level, buy a transfer, and take the G bus eastbound to Front Street. From there, take a LEFT, and walk down to Swanson Street. Take a RIGHT and walk one block, just past the I-95 viaduct; as seen on this map (Adobe Acrobat required).

Hotel: For those coming to the area for King of Trios weekend in need of a place to stay, we recommend the Philadelphia Airport Marriott. The hotel is connected directly to the Philadelphia International Airport, and is located just over 10 miles from the ECW Arena, which makes for a short cab ride to and from King of Trios. You can call 1-800-682-4087 to make reservations and book your room. You may be able to find discounted room rates through online websites, but Marriott locations near airports rarely show much deviation from the established prices. The second floor of the hotel connects directly to Terminal B of the airport, so you do not need transportation to get there.

Transportation: As stated above, the Philadelphia Airport Marriott is located just over 10 miles from the ECW Arena, accessible via a short cab ride. You will be able to arrange a rental car, or have the Marriott front desk call you a taxi cab. Again, remember, the Arena is at the corner of Swanson and Ritner in South Philadelphia. For the purposes of some cab drivers who may not be familiar with the corner (see map below), you may wish to tell them to look for the Forman Mills store (a block from the ECW Arena), painted yellow on the outside.

Parking: The ECW Arena has a fenced-in parking lot behind the facility. You can park there free of charge, but you will not be able to enter through the rear of the building. There is also parking around front where the main entrance and the blowing garbage is typically found. There is also an entrance directly across the street from the parking lot of the Arena. That wil llikely be open as well

Admission: CHIKARA tends to open the doors to the general public about 30 minutes prior to belltime. For events like this, you can expect to see a line forming even before that, even in the worst weather. Those holding an official CHIKARMY membership card will be allowed in 15 minutes prior to the “official” opening of the doors. It will be possible to buy tickets at the door the day of the event(s), at no extra charge.

Food: The Arena has a concession stand open during the shows with basic food and drink items, including pulled pork sandwiches, pretzels, soda, water, beer, and muffins.

Other restaurants within a short walk for pre-show and post-show meals include the Oregon Diner, Tony Luke’s cheesesteak stand (and the Tony Luke’s Beef and Beer sports bar across the street), as well as McDonald’s, KFC, and Dunkin Donuts are located about 3 blocks away from the Arena on Oregon Avenue.

Slightly farther away on 330 West Oregon Avenue is the Empire Buffet with many Chinese, seafood (and some American) items [EDITOR’S NOTE: my personal favorite for pre-ECW Arena dinner]. There are neighborhood bars, including Nickel’s Tavern, a favorite for some wrestling fans, inbetween the Empire Buffet and the Arena.

2 blocks NORTH of the Arena on Snyder Avenue are several restaurants, including John’s Roast Pork (reported as the best pork sandwich in Philadelphia), a Boston Market, and City Pizza.

Until next time…

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